Description

Virtually un-killable, Clivea's dark green, strappy leaves bare spherical clusters of bright orange trumpet shaped flowers in spring.
Many new flower colours have been introduced including those in the Belgium hybrid range which includes: lemon, yellow, deep red-orange, tangerine and bicolour.

Care

Clivia prefer a shady position, with well drained soil enriched with plenty of organic matter. Keep dry over the winter, while the plants are dormant, as the weather warms up start to water regularly and keep moist through summer. Frost will damage foliage and may delay flowering. If you are growing Clivia in pots, you can bring them inside or put them somewhere protected to reduce frost damage.

Special comments

One of the easiest plants to grow under trees and in dry shaded conditions. Fabulous new cultivars exist and are far superior to the common garden variety and have come down in price. As they are viable from seed they are an easy plant to propagate.

Species

Clivea nobilis - has different shaped flowers which are more pendulous and tangerine.

Clivea miniata -  (Belgium hybrids) smaller more compact plants usually orange, yellow or cream..

Pests

Keep a look out for the black striped Clivia caterpillar, which can decimate plants overnight, control caterpillar with Success.

* You can pick up Clivias, including yellows, creams and Belgium Hybrids right next to the Garden Clinic stand at the Australian Springtime Florafestival.